Extraction, Isolation, Purification and Identification of Caffeine in Zamioculcas Zamiifolia L. Leaves Cultivated in Iraq

Background: Phytochemical analysis of Zamioculcas zamiifolia has revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, endogenous metabolites, vitamins, carotenoids, and tannins. phytochemical profile of Zamioculcas zamiifolia holds promise for discovering new therapeutic agents and natural products. Caffeine is a purine alkaloid, its trimethyl xanthine compound that has stimulant effect on central nervous system. Materials and Methods: the fresh leaves of plant were extracted by harborne extraction method in reflux apparatus by using ethyl acetate, chloroform, chloroform- methanol, and distilled water and then determine compounds preliminary by using specific tests through phytochemical assay and TLC. Further phytochemical investigation of compounds performed by using GC-MS, FT-IR, melting point, HPLC, and Mass spectrometer. Results: the results exhibit different fractions as ethyl acetate, chloroform, chloroform: methanol, chloroform and distilled water weighed 0.92, 0.19,1.51, and 28.65 gram respectively, also the presence of alkaloids specifically purine alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds which show in leaves extract, in addition to the isolation of pure caffeine from chloroform-methanol fraction and this study was the first one that isolate caffeine from Zamioculcas zamiifolia in the world. Conclusion: The phytochemical analyses results exhibit the extract fractions of Zamioculcas zamiifolia leaves indicate the plant considered as an important source of active compounds that might feeding the modern medicine with drugs especially caffeine discovering in plant. Therefore, additional researches are required to confirm the antimicrobial, anthelminthic, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-inflammatory activities. As well as, compounds isolation, purification and even characterization are essential to make the plant has a novel important study.